As a first-year student at Indiana University Southeast in New Albany, Kennedy Spencer, 19, of Seymour is finding that college isn’t easy, but it would be even more of a struggle, she said, if it weren’t for the advanced classes she took in high school.

Spencer completed advanced placement courses in history and government at Seymour High School this past year and made sure to take the end-of-course exams as well as the SAT and ACT exams, all of which have helped prepare her for the more rigorous pace and level of work at college as she pursues a degree in criminology.

“AP government was really hard, but I got an A, and it has helped me so much with my criminal justice class,” she said.

Local school officials say an increasing number of students in Jackson County are taking and passing exams and courses to help prepare them for success in college and careers.

It’s a trend reflected across the state as schools continue to push students to meet higher educational goals and employers seek more skilled workers.

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